South Bend Clutch Vendors

[mberry]

I am ready to buy a clutch. Is there a list of vendors somewhere on the website? Would anyone care to PM prices for a Con O for my truck? Please?

Thanks.

Mark.

 

[BDaugherty]

A good story about SBC

I suggest contacting South Bend directly. I did all my research and saved up the money for my Con OFE. I contacted SBC for details and prices. When I called back to place my order, I simply asked for the best price available to a TDR member. Peter knocked $100 off the list price. If memory serves, I ordered the clutch on a Friday. On Saturday, I pulled the transmission and took the old clutch out. On Monday, my wife took the flywheel to a local clutch and brake rebuilder who resurfaced it for me. On Wednesday, the new clutch arrived. I had big plans to install it the following Saturday. Those big plans were spoiled when my wife went into pre-term labor. Instead of installing my new clutch, I spent 3 days at the hospital with my wife. While I was there, I chimed in on someone else's clutch thread.

I said:

I just bought a MU1947 ConOFE for my '01 6spd from South Bend. I don't drive mine every day so I just paid a local clutch rebuilder $23 to resurface my flywheel. I was gonna reinstall the clutch today, but instead I'm sitting at the hospital with my pregnant wife. I'll write a review after I finish the install and get a few miles on it. Since I'm doing the install myself, maybe I can offer additional insight over those that have a shop do it. I tow a little from time to time, but usually not more than 10K.

Peter said:

Congratulations on the new baby or soon to be!! Give me a call, I would like to help you out with your new born.



I was able to take my wife home from the hospital where she remained on bed rest until 1 month before her due date when she had out second daughter with no complications. It was a major relief after all of the problems we had with her pregnancy. About a week after that, I finally called Peter back regarding his offer. We talked for a few minutes about the clutch that I had bought and for a few more about the new addition to my family. Then he really surprised me by offering to refund the purchase price of my clutch. I felt that I couldn't accept. He assured me that it was a "no strings attached" gift and that I should use the money to help with hospital bills, the nursery, etc. I gratefully accepted. The next surprise was that he refunded the whole thing... shipping and everything. At first I felt a little guilty about accepting, but this has been a pretty tough year in my line of work and his gift really couldn't have come at a better time. Thanks again to Peter and South Bend... not just for the gift, but also for a great product. Since then, 3 of my close friends have become SBC customers.

Also, the girls probably like riding in Daddy's truck even more than they like storytime.

 

[South Bend Clutch]

I actually teared up reading this. I am so glad all is well. Your babies are beautiful.



Peter

 

[SHobbs]

I have read about Peter going out of his way to help customers before and that takes the cake. Peter your a good man. Beautiful kids you got there congrats on the new arrival, hope everyone is doing well.





Mark,



I used a installer off South Bends website with great results. The installer I used purchased the clutch and had it shipped to them. Infact South Bend is all they installed. I bet there is one close to you listed there check it out.

 

[BDaugherty]

Peter, I'm glad you came across this thread. I have not forgotten your generosity and I will continue to remember so that when things are a little better I'll be able to help someone else out in a similar manner. I hope more folks get a chance to read this thread because it's a story that should be told.



Also, I was unaware of the "authorized installers" on SBC's website, but I think that's a great idea. That way you get someone familiar with the product as well as fair pricing.

 

[Doubleclutch]

AH, Peter, you big lug... That was really nice!

Best wises to the Daugherty family!!!

Greg

 

[JCasper]

Great story, I have always heard good things about Peter, but this has to be one of the best.



Me, I bought my clutch from Rip at Source and had them install it because of time issues.



I always recommend Source to my friends. They are great guys over there.

 

[JeffBecker]

I had a problem with my Southbend clutch, call Peter, and he went above and beond for me. I don't think you will ever hear of anyone that has had bad or even so so costomer service for Southbed clutch. Jeff

 

[mberry]

BDaugherty,

Good story and similar to ours. My wife was on bedrest for 1 month before delivery August 25th. Then week before last she had to have her gallbladder removed due to stones caused by pregnancy. Another few days of bedrest. Needless to say, it's been a rough couple of months. Now our home purchase that was supposed to close last week (Oct. 15th) has been postponed until Nov. 4th. since the title company/seller is having issues producing the deed. We are/were renting the house we are in now and our landlord already rented it since we were supposed to close escrow already. We now have to move twice in less than a month. Let's just say I feel your pain. Taking care of a sick spouse, 6 year old and a newborn, plus full time job is tough work! Last week I couldn't have told you what day it was without a calendar in front of me. Now we are paying more rent for one place, and we will be paying utilities for 2 for the foreseeable future. Money is very tight right now. Not complaining, just explaining my particular situation.

I have no problem calling Peter. I was just trying to find a vendor that may be able to provide the parts with, hopefully, buying power and somewhat of a lesser price. I've seen them listed for over $1K. I simply can't spend that kind of money right now. I don't have it. I can do the install myself as I'm fairly mechanically inclined and can use a friends' shop to work in. I will have to find a place that will resurface the flywheel though. SBC is the only clutch for me, no offense intended to anyone else's products.

Thanks to everyone so far.

P. S. I had to use my clutch money to rent another place, so my purchase is going to have to be put off for a few more weeks.

 

[mberry]

Sorry everyone. I did not name the correct clutch I was looking for. I'm wanting a Con O, not a ConFE.

 

[cbmkr]

Southbend Clutch is GREAT!!!!!!!!!

Just call peter at southbend and he will save you a lot of time,I dealt with the other guys in Texas and There clutches were not even a close comparision to Southbend's product. Peter went out of his way to tell me what i needed and what was wrong with the clutch i had tried. After ordering the Con O from peter it arrived in 2 days and the Quality and product packaging were far above and beyond the other clutch i had tried. NO Comparison at all. The Con O is As smooth as a stock clutch and Quiet also with very very little gear rattle if any.



Thanks Again Peter

 

[BDaugherty]

Just call peter at southbend and he will save you a lot of time,I dealt with the other guys in Texas and There clutches were not even a close comparision to Southbend's product. Peter went out of his way to tell me what i needed and what was wrong with the clutch i had tried. After ordering the Con O from peter it arrived in 2 days and the Quality and product packaging were far above and beyond the other clutch i had tried. NO Comparison at all. The Con O is As smooth as a stock clutch and Quiet also with very very little gear rattle if any.



Thanks Again Peter

If I understood correctly, this thread isn't arguing the merits of the SBC product line. Rather, we're discussing whether it's better (cheaper/easier) to find a local vender who sells SBC's or to go direct to SBC. It seems that each may have its own benefits. I went direct and I couldn't be more pleased.

 

[mberry]

That's exactly correct.